In fact, I’ve got an ear-splitting grin across my face right now. I can’t seem to stop smiling! Each time my cheeks start to relax, I remember yet another reason to give thanks to God, and my cheeks split into a foolish grin again. Don’t look at me now, I’m scary-looking with all the gleaming teeth.

You know, Thanksgiving might be one of my favorite celebrations in America. I just love, love, love the idea of families gathering together over roasted turkey and cranberry sauce, joining hands to reflect over the year, and coming up with countless reasons to give thanks.

However, as we all know, Thanksgiving shouldn’t be just limited to one single day. Many people say things like, “I’m thankful for my family, my friends, blah blah blah…” Well, of course we’ve got to be thankful for our friends and families! In fact, we should be expressing our gratitude for that every single day! Which is why for me, Thanksgiving has a different meaning. There are just so many freaking reasons to give thanks, that a single day is simply not enough. Thus Thanksgiving should be a daily, habitual activity…so what makes this particular occasion special?

Well, first of all…let’s face it. Given our busy lifestyles and duties, we usually forget to give thanks. For me, I need a specially assigned day in which I stop everything I’m doing, sit down, and have a good reflection over the course of the year.

Second of all…as I do my reflection…I come to realize that I not only have to give thanks for the good, fortunate things in my life…I also have to give thanks for all the things that gave me pain, sufferings, and hardships. And that’s when I start receiving many revelations, and come to peace with many of the grudges, worries anxieties, and wounds I’ve held over the year.

This year of 2009 has been a significant year for me. 11 months ago, I was still barely 60 lbs. 11 months ago, I still didn’t know if I would ever make it to college. 11 months ago, I was still teetering between desire to die, and desire to recover and live.

And then, my dream came true. Recovery became an increasingly easy and smooth process as I overcame many challenges, many obstacles and irrational thoughts and behaviors. I got into college. I even got a scholarship.

But was it happily ever after from then onwards? Nope.

I was out of the world of ED, but I was still, well, living in this world, and dealing with the daily problems and struggles of a normal person. I struggled with adjusting to a college life as I faced criticisms and bad grades that seriously wavered my self-confidence. I had a few personal dramas and tantrums. I had a few relationship troubles. And I still struggle to be a good person, a good Christian, a good student, a good friend.

But you know what? I give thanks for all of that. I’m not bullshitting here…I really and truly give thanks for everything:

I give thanks that I am dealing with all these normal problems…because that means I no longer am consumed with ED problems.

I give thanks that I had bad grades and struggled with school, because that taught me not to be so cocky about my intelligence. In fact, it really humbled me and gave me an attitude to want to learn and experience, and not just to earn good grades.

I give thanks for my personal dramas and tantrums, because that means I am no longer numb with emotions. I’m learning to be a real human being again with real, passionate emotions. Now, I just need to find a good balance (and not act like I have permanent PMS).

I give thanks for the relationship troubles that I had, because it taught me to trust God and not man. It also taught me to be more understanding towards others, to view others’ situation in a less selfish perspective.

Sophia’s “Bonus” Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Oregon Dukkah, coconut flavor
• 1/2 mango
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tsp gochujang
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Optional Ingredients:

• soy sauce
• 2 stalks green onions

First, divide the rice into two dishes:

Meanwhile, blend the mango, soy sauce, honey, gochujang, mustard, and red pepper flakes in a food blender:
Next, glaze the salmon fillet with the mango-mixture, then press down a good handful of the Oregon Dukkah on top:
Heat up a frying pan, and sear the salmon on each side until cooked through. Ladle it over the rice, and top with nori:

Have ready a pot of hot green tea:
And then pour away!
Top with bonito flakes (they dance, by the way, so COOL!):
And you’re done!
In case you’re wondering this is Oregon Dukkah:
I got it as a sample from the Foodbuzz Festival, and it’s toasted coconut combined with roasted hazelnuts, sesame seeds and spices. Sounds good? Tastes fabulous! I can’t wait to experiment more with this!

I had aside extra nori and bonito flakes to add in while eating:
And also a bowl of chopped green onions to sprinkle on top:
As for the soy sauce, use it if you need more flavor. But honestly, it’s still great without.
Total comfort food.
It’s amazingly healthy, too. I think this will be a good meal to make after a few days of stuffing yourself during Thanksgiving, don’t you think?
  Maybe you can substitute the fish with leftover turkey! Get creative with this!
By the way, my parents are overseas in China right now, so I can’t even call them during Thanksgiving…but thank God, because a couple in church invited me over for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday…so I won’t have to spend Thanksgiving alone!

Well, I hope all of you have a great and blessed Thanksgiving, full of love and cheer and of course, gratitude!

Question of the day: Aside from all the usual things to give thanks for, can you think of one “bad” thing…that you’re thankful for now?